-NRLF 


B   M   SOD   71D 


P    S 

3079 

T5 

A75 

1893 

MAIN 


,' 


LIB  R  ARY 

OF   THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

GIFT    OK 


Received 
Accessions  No. 


,      6,  ....,  / 
S  keif  No. 


7 


QVEEN-OF-THE- FLOATING 


J.B.LIPP1NCOTT  C». 
A\DCC<: 


COPYRIGHT,  1892, 

BY 
J.    B.    LIPPINCOTT    COMPANY. 


PRINTED  BY  J.  B    LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY,  PHILADELPHIA. 


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• 
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YOLVMS  is  GRATE:- 


MY  wo;- 

0  ' 

'  , 

•vOjF^t  ~ 

*  *, 


Where  stately  palms  and  tropic  plants  unfurled"     .      Canto  /.,  Stanza  2 
Artist,  H.  R.  BLOOMER. 

Each  year  fruit-offerings  by  them  were  brought"      .      Canto  /.,  Stanza  5 
Artist,  J.  ALDEN  WEIR. 

One  hundred  Nereids  on  dolphins  rode"  .         .     Canto  /.,  Stanza  / 

Artist,  F.  S.  CHURCH. 

A  pious  family  protected,  saved"        ....    Canto  II. ,  Stanza  i 
Artist,  FREDERICK  DIELMAN. 

O'er  sea  and  land  in  glorious  array"         .         .         .    Canto  //.,  Stanza  3 
Artist,  FRANCIS  C.  JONES. 


"Enthroned  in  regal  state  the  youthful  queen".          .    Canto  II ,  Stanza  7 
Artist,  A.  F.  JACCACI. 

"  Atlina  listened  with  a  pleased  surprise"    .         .         .    Canto  II.,  Stanza  8 
Artist,  HERBERT  DENMAN. 

"All  nature  beamed  with  beauties  unsurpassed"          .  Canto  III.,  Stanza  I 
Artist,  A.  F.  JACCACI. 

"Atlina  with  Diotheus  reclined"  ....  Canto  III.,  Stanza  4 

Artist,  F.  V.  Du  MOND. 

"Of  Floating  Isle  in  tropic  beauties  dressed"      .         .  Canto  III.,  Stanza  7 
Artist,  J.  H.  TWACHTMAX. 

Ornamental  title-page,  frontispiece,  half-titles  to  the  Cantos,  and  decorative 
designs  throughout  the  text, 

Artist,  A.  F.  JACCACI. 


AGES  ago,  Atlantis  proudly  swayed 

Her  prehistoric  glories,  unsurpassed ; 
The  God  Posei'don,  regally  arrayed, 

With  trident  sceptre,  mystic  marvels  cast 
O'er  that  strange  continent. 

His  power  supreme 
Enriched  the  earth  with  wondrous  splendors  grand, 

Enthroned  to  rule  and  realize  the  dream 
Of  fabled  mysteries  o'er  sea  and  land. 

So  reigned  this  Neptune  king  with  will  profound 
As  o'er  a  world. 

Virtues  he  there  enshrined 
With  wisdom,  justice,  truth,  and  laws  renowned 

That  good-will  meted  unto  all  mankind. 


II. 

Transcendent  beauties  brightly  beamed  upon 

The  fertile  plain,  fairest  of  all  the  world ; 
Near  which  a  mount  uprose  above  the  lawn, 

Where  stately  palms  and  tropic  plants  unfurled 
'Neath  sunshine  flooding  its  life-giving  rays 

O'er  budding  blossoms,  blooming  everywhere. 
There  fountains  jetted  iridescent  sprays 

Near  groves  of  stately  trees, — exotics  rare ; 
While  streams  meandered  and  fresh  bubbling  springs 

Of  purest  waters  fertilized  the  sod, 
And  breathing  zephyrs  wafted  as  with  wings 

Sweet,  odorous  incense  offered  to  their  God. 


" 


III. 

Upon  this  mount  dwelt  one  primeval  pair. 

Their  only  child,  a  daughter  scarcely  grown, 
In  dawning  womanhood  was  wondrous  fair. 

When  her  fond  parents  died,  leaving  alone 
This  lovely  orphan  (Cleito  was  her  name), 

Poseidon  met  her,  pleased  with  her  pure  grace, 
He  elevated  to  exalted  fame 

One  made  by  nature  worthy  of  that  place. 
His  heart  idealized  this  mortal  love. 

Around  her  palace  he  alternately 
Drew  two  encircling  zones, — of  land  above, — 

Grand  terraces.     Three  smaller  zones  of  sea 
Enclosed  the  citadel  of  destiny. 


IV. 

No  man  could  enter  that  enchanted  spot, — 

Himself  a  god,  his  wishes  naught  could  mar ; 
All  rarest  treasures  to  the  isle  he  brought 

That  beamed  in  beauty  like  a  brilliant  star ; 
For  in  the  rocks  all  precious  gems  were  found  ; 

With  purest  gold  and  silver,  veins  of  ore 
There  threaded  through.     The  mount,  within,  around, 

With  richest  offerings  that  nature  bore. 
Three  walls  enclosed  the  isle  : 

An  outer  wall 
Coated  with  brass  ;  the  next  with  tino'erlaid; 

The  next  of  ori'chalch ;  glowing  through  all 
Red  lights  that  blazed  warm  flashes  as  they  played. 


V. 

Tween  citadel  and  palace  stately  stood 

A  holy  temple,  in  the  centre,  where 
Poseidon  with  his  Cleito  blessings  wooed 

In  bliss  divine,  the  joys  of  life  to  share  ; 
Each  year  fruit-offerings  by  them  were  brought 

From  ten  divisions  of  that  wondrous  isle 
As  sacred  sacrifice. 

On  hallowed  spot 
Poseidon's  own  fane  stood  in  grandest  style, — 

Barbaric  splendor,  stadium  in  length 
With  half  a  stadium  in  width. 

Its  height 
Proportionate,  throughout  of  massive  strength. 

Aglow  with  brilliant  gems  emitting  light. 


VI. 

This  edifice  in  silver  was  encased, 

With  pinnacles  bestudded,  gleaming  gold : 
An  ivory  roof  within,  its  borders  graced 

By  royal  decorations,  sunbeam  stoled. 
Shimmered  forth  from  the  pillars,  walls,  and  floor 

Bedazzling  rays  of  every  precious  gem 
That  flashed  with  glowing  lights  the  arches  o'er. 

Poseidon's  statue,  crowned  with  diadem, 
In  regal  robes  upon  his  chariot  stood, 

With  six  winged  horses,  thus  in  state  to  guide 
His  flying  steed. 

Ruler  divine,  endued 
With  power  supreme  o'er  all  things  to  preside. 


VII. 

One  hundred  Nereids  on  dolphins  rode 

As  if  ambassadors  from  the  deep  sea ; 
Colossal  golden  statues  brightly  glowed 

Around  the  altar  of  their  deity; 
Engraved  on  columned  orichalch  that  stood 

Within  the  temple,  holy  laws  were  given 
To  teach  the  right,  commanding  all  things  good 

Through  virtue's  path,  to  make  this  world  like  heaven. 
Outside  the  temple  rose  ten  golden  kings, 

Ten  golden  statues  of  their  wives  in  state, 
With  many  tributes,  sacred  offerings, 

Impressive  rites  whence  glories  radiate. 


VIII. 

Thus  many  generations  passed  away 

Since  God  Poseidon's  first-born  reigned  as  king. 
His  wise  descendants  aided  the  display 

Of  peerless  pageantry  the  years  could  bring. 
Supremacy  to  Atlas'  line  was  shown, 

With  binding  rule  on  all  the  kings  impressed  ; 
No  wars  to  join  against  each  other's  throne, 

But  render  aid,  if  enemies  oppressed  ; 
Vast  multitudes  inhabited  the  land, 

Thousands  of  chariots  for  war  arrayed, 
Twelve  hundred  ships  awaited  their  command, 

With  officers  and  honors  grand  displayed. 


IX. 

While  god-like  nature  lasted  in  that  race 

To  laws  divine  obedience  was  given, 
With  true  devotion  to  their  gods  in  grace 

As  children  taught  inheritance  of  heaven  ; 
The  Gold  and  Silver  Ages  having  passed, 

Then  Bronze  Age  followed,  scattering  the  seed 
Of  discord,  avarice,  with  sins  o'ercast, 

Admixture  more  of  human,  selfish  greed. 
Lost  were  the  virtues  of  Poseidon's  reign, 

Then  Zeus,  the  God  of  gods,  with  will  supreme, 
Called  all  the  gods,  his  mandate  to  make  plain, 

To  judge  with  justice,  and  lost  rights  redeem. 


No  archives  chronicle  the  God's  decree 

That  doomed  Atlantis  to  its  sudden  fate, 
By  tempest  torn  and  sunk  beneath  the  sea, 

Their  mortal  sins  to  thus  obliterate  ; 
One  portion  of  the  land  eruptions  cleft 

Just  as  it  stood,  with  sacred  temples,  throne, 
And  royal  palace,  all  that  had  been  left 

Of  grandest  continent  the  world  had  known. 
A  pious  family  protected,  saved 

With  their  attendants  faithful  cast  away, 
On  this  wrecked  isle  the  many  dangers  braved 

By  guardian  care,  on  that  eventful  day. 


II. 

While  these  were  offering  orisons  that  morn, 

Fierce,  warring  elements  in  fury  hurled 
The  earth,  that  lifted,  trembled,  then  was  torn 

Asunder  from  that  cursed  and  sinking  world. 
Prostrate  before  the  altar  they  remained, 

Until  was  heard  a  voice  from  one  unseen, 
"Thy  godliness  and  virtues  pure  have  gained 

Pardon  for  thee  and  thine.     As  shall  be  seen 
From  guardian  care,  all  good  will  emulate, 

This  holy  isle  for  thee  is  saved  and  blessed, 
Thy  heirs  shall  reign  as  kings,  and  reinstate 

Poseidon's  line,  as  God  Zeus  thinketh  best." 


III. 

This  godly  family  had  one  fair  child, 

A  daughter,  beaming  love  and  fond  delight 
And  wondrous  beauty  as  she  sweetly  smiled, 

While  shimmered  o'er  her  brow  soft  halos  bright, 
Through  airy  tresses,  like  warm  rays  of  gold, 

That  flowed  in  careless  waves  around  her  form. 
Her  large  blue  eyes  would  evening's  shade  enfold, 

Her  cheeks,  the  sea-shell's  tint,  with  blushes  warm. 
No  fairer  mortal  maiden  ere  was  seen  ; 

Her  charms  of  manner  bore  a  winsome  way. 
Crowned  was  she  on  the  Floating  Isle  as  queen 

O'er  sea  and  land  in  glorious  array. 


TJHIVEESIT7 


IV. 

Her  palace  pearled  with  golden  settings  rare, 

Its  temples  blending  treasures  of  all  climes  ; 
Her  bowers  were  draped  with  climbing  flowers  fair 

O'er  gleaming  domes  that  measured  music's  chimes  ; 
Her  Nereid  attendants  served  with  love ; 

They  hovered  near  the  Floating  Isle  with  pride 
On  dolphins,  their  devotion  thus  to  prove, 

Played  timbrels,  dancing  on  the  rippling  tide ; 
Her  parents  in  their  temple  offered  praise, 

Gave  thanks  to  Zeus  with  offerings  and  prayer ; 
They  taught  Atlina's  life  pure,  holy  ways 

To  thus  repay  the  gods  for  guardian  care. 


V. 

Atlina  just  attained  her  womanhood, 

With  voice  like  angel's  voice,  soft,  low,  and  sweet ; 
And  speaking  glances. 

Thoughts  were  understood 
Ere  spoken,  if  the  listener  chanced  to  meet 

Their  trusting  light  from  soul  of  purity. 
Last  heiress  of  lost  kings  was  she,  this  isle, 

Her  only  heritage,  World  of  the  Sea, 
That  meted  glorious  destiny  !     Meanwhile 

Her  subjects  wished  their  lovely  queen  to  wed 
A  god-like  king.     They  made  their  wishes  known, 

And  often  to  the  subject  pleading  led 
That  heirs  of  Atlas'  line  might  grace  her  throne. 


VI. 

With  joy  the  Nereids  appeared  one  morn 

Arrayed  in  mantles  of  fair  sprays  of  mist, 
Their  ruddy  shoulders  lightly  to  adorn. 

Atlina's  hand  devotedly  they  kissed, 
And  signalled  galleys,  coming  near  the  shore 

Upon  the  ocean's  brightly  beaming  breast 
So  near  the  isle,  a  voice  in  clear  command 

Cried,  "  Lower  sails  ! 

Drop  anchor!     Here  we  rest! 
This  is  the  world  we've  sought  so  long  in  vain, 

How  wondrous  beautiful,  this  heavenly  sphere, 
Deus  has  our  labors  blessed ! 

'Tis  glory's  gain  ; 

This  blissful  haven  offers  royal  cheer." 


VII. 

Enthroned  in  regal  state  the  youthful  queen 

Awaited  the  approach  of  strangers  grand, 
Enrobed  most  gorgeously,  as  if  to  wean 

Her  thoughts  from  all  except  a  queen's  command  ; 
Yet  flitting  blushes  warmed  the  cold  repose 

Of  stately  dignity.     Her  scarf  confined 
By  opal  stars,  their  tints  like  fair  rainbows 

That  shimmered  halos,  happiness  enshrined ; 
As  come  the  heralds,  with  their  god-like  king, 

He  knelt  before  her,  conquered. 

Beauty's  power 
Enhanced  the  scene.      The  sprites  were  welcoming 

With  timbrel  shells  and  song,  that  happy  hour. 


VIII. 

Atlina  listened  with  a  pleased  surprise 

To  courtly  compliments,  profusely  paid, 
Awaking  glances,  beamed  from  dreamy  eyes, 

O'er  dimpling  smiles  where  flitting  blushes  played ; 
While  spake  Diotheus  fond  words  of  praise : 

He  thanked  the  gods  who  his  adventures  blessed, 
That  from  a  sinking  world  the  isle  released, 

And  guided  him  to  this  fair  land  of  rest 
To  realize  a  love,  his  heart  to  feast : 

"  My  ships  lie  waiting  for  my  precious  prize 
To  bear  in  triumph  to  my  favored  throne, 

My  kingdom  waits,  where  dips  the  eastern  skies, 
A  goddess  queen,  for  every  virtue  known." 


IX. 

At  once  she  sought  the  temple  to  confide 

Her  new  found  happiness. 

With  fond  caress 
She  coyly  knelt  her  father's  knee  beside, 

With  warmest  blushes  new  life  to  confess ; 
He  answered  rising,  with  uplifted  hand  : 

"  Obedience  is  due  the  gods'  decree ! 
Thy  duty,  child,  must  follow  their  command, 

Their  sacred  will  thus  metes  thy  destiny." 
The  mother's  arms  enclasped  her  daughter's  waist, 

"  Child  of  our  love  !  thanks  to  the  gods  divine 
Who  taught  thee  love  with  true  devotion  graced, 

Our  happiness  reflects  this  joy  of  thine." 


ALL  nature  beamed  with  beauties  unsurpassed, 

The  sun  in  glory  showered  dazzling  rays 
And  banished  shadows  ;  not  a  cloud  o'ercast 

That  nuptial  morn,  hailed  with  exalted  praise. 
Awaking  zephyrs  trilled  a  flitting  breeze  ; 

Sweet  carols  sang  wild  birds  in  gladsome  glee ; 
/Eolians  were  sighing  through  the  trees 

With  joy  and  sadness,  varied  melody. 
The  Floating  Isle,  nestled  its  border  bowers 

Of  tropic  plants,  wafting  perfumes  full  sweet, 
From  countless  cups  of  all  its  precious  flowers 

Which  incense  offered,  odorous,  replete. 


II. 

Directed  by  the  gods,  Diotheus  left 

Aurosa  Greece  (his  kingdom) — journeyed  o'er 
The  inland  seas,  seeking  that  portion  cleft 

From  doomed  Atlantis. 

Near  southwestern  shore 
Of  broad  Atlantic  main,  he  found  the  isle, 

Its  goddess  queen,  to  grace  his  Grecian  throne, 
Won  by  her  loveliness.     Sweet  was  her  smile 

With  happiness,  to  him  before  unknown. 
Atlina  donned  the  graceful  Grecian  gown, 

Pure  as  the  pearling  dew  born  of  the  air  : 
Her  every  wish  with  joy  the  king  to  crown, 

Through  life  his  love  to  keep  and  ever  share. 


III. 


Lifted  were  anchors,  sails  unfurled,  outspread, 
The  fleet  unmoored,  ready  to  sail  away, 

When  fond  attendants  stately  measures  led : 
An  invocation  to  the  God  of  day. 


V 


Thou  God!      The  sun! 

O  light  of  light! 
Thou  glorious  one ! 

O  radiance  bright, 

Divine ! 
Guard  with  thy  care 

With  wisdom,  might, 
Our  queen,  to  share 

What  seemeth  right 
As  thine. 


O  glorious  Sun ! 

From  care  released, 
Their  voyage  when  done 

May  joyous  feast 

Extend ! 
Welcome  with  bliss ! 

In  the  far  east, 
Sweeter  than  this, 

All  pleasures  feast 
And  bend. 


IV. 

Atlina  with  Diotheus  reclined 

'Neath  gleaming  canopy  of  threaded  gold, 
Begemmed  with  crest  of  double  crowns,  entwined 

That  fond  predictions  for  their  future  told. 
The  god-like  king,  of  stately  presence  grand, 

His  massive  brow  alight  with  new-found  bliss, 
Was  hero  of  victorious  command  ; 

But  conquered  worlds  could  not  compare  with  this. 
His  classic  features,  perfectly  were  lined ; 

His  earnest  eyes  of  evening's  darkest  shade, 
His  beard  and  raven  locks  flowed,  waved,  entwined 

And    shimmered    raven    lights,    where    sunbeams 
strayed. 


V. 

Then  floated  banners,  with  a  loud  acclaim 

Of  oarsmen  measuring  each  deep-drawn  stroke, 
While  tearful  voices  sighed  Atlina's  name 

Amid  the  pageantry,  farewells  awoke. 
Thus  glided  they  o'er  ocean's  throbbing  breast, 

The  groom  and  bride  guarded  from  every  ill. 
When  Floating  Isle  receded  on  the  west, 

Atlina's  heart  was  pained  with  saddened  thrill ; 
Diotheus  fond  words  repressed  to  wean 

Her  heart  from  yearning  thoughts  with  better  cheer ; 
Such  silent  sympathy  impressed  his  queen 

With  warmer  gratitude  to  one  most  dear. 


VI. 

While  lingering  rays,  reflected  from  sunbeams, 

Bedecked  the  ocean's  slowly-throbbing  breast, 
Its  waves  aglow,  were  rippling  brightest  gleams, 

Ere  evening  shadows  wooed  the  day  to  rest. 
In  mantled  mist,  the  scenes  dissolved  away 

With  angel  voices  chantant  on  the  air ; 
The  mighty  deep  intoned  its  plashing  spray, 

While  guardian  dolphins  hovered  near  with  care. 
The  nautilus  its  stately  measures  bore 

Like  royal  page — and  glided  gracefully 
Beside  the  galleys,  dipped  the  waters  o'er 

In  unison  with  songs  of  air  and  sea. 


VII. 

The  day  was  blushing,  as  approaching  night 

Unfurled  its  glowing  colors  in  the  west, 
When  lo !  a  mirage,  framed  with  ruby  light, 

Of  Floating  Isle  in  tropic  beauties  dressed 
Above  the  low  horizon  lifted  there, 

With  halos,  lingering  rays  of  setting  sun  : 
Its  sacred  temples  pictured  in  air 

That  mystic  hour  when  day  its  course  hath  run. 
"See!"  cried  Diotheus,  "my  dreams  unfold; 

This  scene  the  gods  predicted  unto  me : 
'Thou  shalt  Atlina's  Floating  Isle  behold  « ' 

Uplifted  to  the  skies,  'tis  God's  decree.'  ' 


OJ  THE    "'^ 

[TJHIVBRSITT; 
e* 


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